A German-style menu of pork chops, bratwurst and authentic German side dishes.

CORTLAND

Preschool Story Time

Time: 10 a.m.

Date: Every Wednesday and Thursday; next, Sept. 25

Place: Cortland Community Library, 63 S. Somonauk Road

More information: 815-756-7274 or cortlandlibrary.com

For children 3 and older. No registration required.

Evening Story and Craft

Time: 7 p.m.

Date: Every Tuesday; next, Oct. 1

Place: Cortland Community Library, 63 S. Somonauk Road

More information: 815-756-7274 or cortlandlibrary.com

DeKALB

Toddler Time

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Date: Wednesday, Sept. 25

Place: DeKalb Public Library youth services

More information: 815-756-9568, ext. 250 or theresaw@dkpl.org

Infants, toddlers and their caregivers are invited for stories and songs. A craft is led right after story time.

Child Safety Seat Check

Time: 4 – 6 p.m.

Date: Wednesday, Sept. 25

Place: Family Service Agency, 14 Health Services Drive

More information: 815-899-0137

DeKalb police technicians will check to see if child safety seats are properly installed in this free event.

Banned Book Read-Out

Time: 4:30 p.m.

Date: Wednesday, Sept. 25

Place: DeKalb Public Library youth services

More information: 815-756-9568, ext. 260 or edithc@dkpl.org

Featured books are "And Tango Makes Three" by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, "The Dirty Cowboy" by Amy Timberlake and "In Our Mothers' House" by Patricia Polacco. Children can "free" a banned book and take it home, while supplies last.

Free Community Meal

Time: 5 – 7 p.m.

Date: Every Wednesday; next, Sept. 25

Place: Feed'em Soup, 122 S. First St.

More information: www.feedemsoup.org

For transportation, call 815-293-7433. Sept. 25 menu is chili with cornbread. Diners pay what they can; those who cannot pay can eat for free.

E-book Help Lab

Time: 6:30 – 9 p.m.

Date: Wednesday, Sept. 25

Place: DeKalb Public Library youth services

More information: 815-756-9568, ext. 220

Drop-in lab for help downloading books to electronic devices. The library also has Kindles and Nooks available for check-out.

Bilingual Story Time

Time: 10 a.m.

Date: Thursday, Sept. 26

Place: DeKalb Public Library youth services

More information: 815-756-9568, ext. 250 or theresaw@dkpl.org

This story time for children up to age 5 and their caregivers includes stories, songs and puppet play in Spanish and English, so children learn to appreciate a second language. Translations are provided.

Baladino is an Israeli world music ensemble blending centuries-old melodies from Spain, Eastern Europe, Turkey and the Middle East. Tickets are available at 650 Peace Road, Suite F, in DeKalb, by calling the number above or from music faculty and students at DeKalb and Sycamore high schools.

All-You-Can-Eat Meatloaf Dinner Fundraiser

Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 4:30 – 8 p.m.

Date: Friday, Sept. 27

Place: Feed'em Soup, 122 S. First St.

Tickets: Lunch $8, dinner $10, children 4 and younger free

More information: feedemsoup.org

Choice of three types of meat loaf, with mashed potatoes and a vegetable. Dine in or carry-out. Tickets can be bought in advance online or at the door. Tickets can also be purchased in advance and donated to guests in need.

History Exhibit Reception

Time: 7 – 9 p.m.

Date: Friday, Sept. 27

Place: DeKalb Area Women's Center, 1021 State St.

Reception for Pesut family memories. The exhibit features the immigrant experience of this Croatian family who settled in Finn Town in early DeKalb.

Glam rockers Enuff Z'Nuff, Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute band Creedence Again and DJ Mancow Muller. Tickets range from $20 to $40; meet-and-greets with the artists are available for an extra $15.

This is the kick-off event for DeKalb County Toys for Tots. Registration opens at 3 p.m. and bikes leave at 4 p.m. The ride ends at the Genoa Veterans Home, 311 S. Washington St. in Genoa, for an after-party. All funds and toys raised stay in DeKalb County.

Glidden Homestead Tours

Time: Noon – 4 p.m.

Dates: Sundays through October; next, Sept. 29

Place: Glidden Homestead, 921 W. Lincoln Highway

Cost: Adults $4; children younger than 14, free

More information: gliddenhomestead.org

Tours of the home of Joseph F. Glidden, who invented The Winner style of barbed wire there in 1874. There are also demonstrations in a working on-site blacksmith shop.

'True Grit' Double Feature

Time: 1 and 4 p.m.

Date: Sunday, Sept. 29

Place: The Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St.

More information: 815-756-9568, ext. 260 or edithc@dkpl.org

To kick off the 2013 Big Read, the DeKalb Public Library will sponsor a free showing of the 1969 film "True Grit" starring John Wayne at 1 p.m. and a free showing of the 2010 version starring Jeff Bridges at 4 p.m. Free copies of the novel "True Grit" by Charles Portis will be handed out at both screenings.

A licensed professional counselor talks about the difference between stress and burnout. Learn to prevent, cope with, and reverse burnout.

DeKalb Area Toastmasters Open House

Time: 6 – 9 p.m.

Date: Tuesday, Oct. 8

Place: Pizza Pros, 1205 W. Lincoln Highway

More information: 815-758-1281

Toastmasters is a supportive and creative networking group that can help its members improve leadership and communication skills and improve their ability to think on their feet.

Heartsaver AED/CPR

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 9

Place: KishHealth System, 2727 Sycamore Road

Cost: $45

More information: 815-756-1521, ext. 153618 or kishhealthprograms.org

Certification course in CPR, using an automated external defibrillator and how to provide choking relief for adults, children and infants. Signs and symptoms of heart attack and stroke are also covered. Registration required.

GENOA

Walk-in Blood Pressure Clinic

Time: 9 – 11 a.m.

Date: Wednesdays; next, Sept. 25

Place: KishHealth Family and Specialty Care

A community wellness professional monitors blood pressure weekly. Receive blood pressure information and a tracking card. No registration necessary.

Vendors sell produce, crafts, home-based business products and more, and visitors receive stickers that get them discounts at some downtown businesses. This month's market includes special activities for dogs and their owners and build-your-own scarecrows.

Blood Drive

Time: 8 a.m. – noon

Date: Sunday, Sept. 29

Place: St. Catherine Church, 340 S. Stott St.

Bingo

Time: 7 p.m.

Date: Every Tuesday; next, Oct. 1

Place: Genoa Veterans Home, 311 S. Washington St.

Electronics Recycling Collection

Time: 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Date: First Saturday of each month; next, Oct. 5

Place: City Hall east lot

Items accepted for recycling include anything with a battery or that plugs into a wall; batteries; refrigerators; monitors; scrap metal; cardboard and plastic.

Oktoberfest

Time: 3 – 10 p.m.

Date: Saturday, Oct. 5

Place: Genoa Vets Home, 311 S. Washington St.

German festival includes live music by The Relics, Hitman and Shuvlhed.

Blood Drive

Time: 4 – 7 p.m.

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 9

Place: 33930 North State Road

More information: 815-784-2522

Control Your Cholesterol

Time: 6:30 – 9 p.m.

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 9

Place: KishHealth System Famiy & Specialty Care

More information: 815-748-8962 or kishhealthprograms.org

Whether your levels are high or normal, receive a variety of tools to develop healthy habits. If you have your cholesterol results, bring them. Registration required.

HINCKLEY

Story Time

Times: 12:45 p.m. Tuesdays, 9:45 a.m. Wednesdays

Dates: Tuesdays and Wednesdays in September and October; next, Sept. 25

Cost: Free-will donation; donations are matched by Thrivent for Lutherans

Fundraising walk for Christian Senior Ministry, which offers worship services at senior residential facilities in Sycamore, DeKalb and Rochelle. There will be bingo and refreshments for those who choose not to walk.

More information: 630-355-9655, pastor@wordoflife.net or www.wordoflife.net

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Robert Thomas, a former place kicker for the Chicago Bears, will be the keynote speaker at this retreat, leading a discussion on remaining faithful amid disappointments. There will be several other speakers, as well as a campfire, volleyball, soccer, softball, football, bags, horseshoes and hikes. Must be 18 or older to register; fathers who are attending may also register a son who is 14 or older. Registration due Oct. 1.

King Cut meals are adult meals with a double portion of meat. Carryouts are available. Tickets can be bought from church members or at the door. Menu includes roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet buttered peas, raspberry applesauce, salad, dinner roll, dessert and drink.

SHABBONA

Drive-Thru Dinner

Time: 4:30 – 7 p.m.

Date: Friday, Oct. 4

Place: Shabbona United Church of Christ, 104 E. Navaho

Cost: $10

More information: 815-824-2359

Dinner options are two pork chops, half-chicken, or pork chop-chicken combo, all catered by 5B's. Call for tickets.

Indian Creek Children's Clothing, Equipment and Toy Resale

Time: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Date: Saturday, Oct. 5

Place: Shabbona Elementary School gym, 301 W. Cherokee St.

More information: shabbonaEPC@gmail.com

Gently-used items for sale include fall/winter clothing in sizes from infant through junior size 5, children's formal attire, baby equipment and furniture, outdoor equipment, bikes and riding toys, educational items, games and toys, videos and DVDs, books, bedding and more. The sale will break at noon and reopen at 12:30 p.m. with all items marked down to half-price. No strollers allowed.

SYCAMORE

Story Time

Times: 10 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 7 p.m. Thursday

Dates: Wednesdays and Thursdays through April; next, Sept. 25

Place: Sycamore Public Library

More information: 815-895-2500 or sycamorelibrary.org

For independent children 3 to 6 years old. Caregivers must remain in the library, but need not remain in the room with the children.

Celebrating the release of local history book "Why Sycamore Works." There will be a panel discussion with Sycamore Mayor Ken Mundy and several of the industry leaders featured in the book. Copies of the book will be available for $10.

There will be door prizes, sales and free food samples. A new Cat's Meow building, of the Jane Fargo Hotel, will be debuted. An artist will be in the store from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., and Sara J. Gardner McAllister will sign copies of her new children's book from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This vegetable gardening for beginners course is offered in three parts. Attend any one part for $5 or pay $12 for all three. The remaining classes are Cool Season Vegetable Crops and Season Extension Oct. 9 and Garden Planning and Variety Selection Oct. 30.

The homes included on the Oct. 26 Sycamore History Museum historic homes tour will be discussed.

Kids Work Day

Time: 9 a.m. – noon

Date: Saturday, Oct. 5

Place: City lot at Elm and Somonauk streets

All school-age children in Sycamore are invited to clean up the streets of the city in preparation for the Pumpkin Festival. Adult volunteers to walk with groups of children are also needed. Each child will receive a T-shirt and a coupon for a kids' meal from a local eatery.

Etched in Stone Elmwood Cemetery Walk

Time: 1 p.m.

Date: Sunday, Oct. 6

Place: Elmwood Cemetery, Charles Street entrance

Cost: $5 suggested donation

More information: 815-895-5762 or sycamorehistory.org

WATERMAN

Walk-in Blood Pressure Clinic

Time: 9 – 11 a.m.

Date: Thursdays; next, Sept. 26

Place: KishHealth Family and Specialty Care

A community wellness professional monitors blood pressure weekly. Receive blood pressure information and a tracking card. No registration necessary.